(Taught Math At Swanton Junior High)
It is with full and heavy hearts that we announce the death of Judith (Najarian) Dennis Friday morning, November 8, 2024.
Born on March 10, 1941 to Peter and Alice Najarian, Judy grew up on the family farm in Swanton where she, and her younger sister Barbara, and her older brother Peter worked at the produce stand in the town that would become her lifelong home.
Farm life gave way to college, where Judy, a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, earned a degree in education in 1963 from BGSU. She taught 8th grade math at Swanton Jr. High from 1975-1997, proving that her outwardly calm demeanor hid a strength and fortitude few possess.
These are the facts of Judy’s life, but the true joy of her life was her family. Michele and Todd, her two children from her marriage to Terry Gigax, were the lights of her life and the source of her gray hair.
She loved catching up with her cousins, checking in on her mother, and sending notes and cards to friends and family.
If her children were the lights of her life, her grandsons, Beau and Brad Bundrant, were the fireworks in her sky; though nothing could hold a candle to the love she found late in life with Richard Dennis.
Married in 1995, Judy and Richard cherished every minute and each other, sharing big events and quiet moments until Richard’s death in 2019.
Judy will be deeply missed by her brother Peter Najarian (Donna), her sister Barbara Hallett (Richard), her son Todd Gigax, her (favorite) daughter Michele Bundrant, her grandsons Beau and Brad Bundrant, her large extended family, her beloved neighbors, and every student who thought they still had time to turn in their late homework.
We will miss Judy’s kindness, her shouts of “Come on, guys!” while watching the Packers and her delightful giggle. We take comfort in knowing that Judy is now enjoying an ice-cold Pepsi while singing along to her favorite Neil Diamond songs, Richard by her side.
Visitation for Judy will be held on Thursday, November 14th, from 3 pm to 8 pm at Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton. Visitation will continue Friday, November 15th, from 10 am to 11 am at Trinity United Methodist Church, where services will begin at 11:00 am, with Pastor Jeff Boze officiating. Interment will follow at Swanton Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Swanton Public Library, 305 Chestnut St., Swanton, OH 43558.